SETU European Maritime Week 2026

Understanding Our Past – Designing Our Future

SETU European Maritime Week brings together researchers, students, maritime and environmental organisations and local communities to explore innovation, regional cooperation and the sustainable development of our maritime future.

Under the theme ‘Understanding Our Past – Designing Our Future’, the programme considers how lessons from Ireland’s maritime past can inform new approaches to sustainability, design, marine spatial planning and the resilience of coastal communities.

A series of research, public and community events will take place during October, providing opportunities to exchange ideas, explore different perspectives and consider how we can work together to shape a more sustainable and inclusive future for our coast and ocean.

Event 1: Marine Spatial Planning Challenge

Thursday, 15 October 2026 | 11am–1.30pm
SETU College Street Campus, Waterford
Open to SETU students from all disciplines

Our future is connected: 

Food • Energy • Jobs • Nature • Communities • Coast

The transition to a greener future creates new opportunities and priorities for our coast and ocean. Marine Spatial Planning brings people together to explore these choices and consider how different needs and priorities can be balanced.

But how do we make choices that work for everyone?

Students from across SETU are invited to take the Marine Spatial Planning Challenge and explore how different interests and priorities shape decisions about the future of our coast and ocean.

From renewable energy and shipping to protecting marine and coastal environments, supporting communities and enabling economic development, participants will explore how decisions at sea connect with what happens on land.

Through this interactive workshop, participants will:

• explore different roles, interests and perspectives;
• make decisions and balance competing priorities;
• consider the connections between our ocean, coast and land; and
• examine how choices relating to energy, the environment, communities and the economy are interconnected.

Admission is free, but places are limited and advance booking is required, at this link. 

For further information, contact [email protected].

Event 2: EU-CONEXUS Research & Share

Thursday, 15 October 2026 | 2pm–3.30pm
Health Sciences Boardroom, SETU Cork Road Campus, Waterford and online

Discover the opportunities and challenges of international collaborative research at the EU-CONEXUS Research & Share event.

Taking place as part of SETU European Maritime Week, the event will showcase collaborative research projects supported through the EU-CONEXUS Seed Funding initiative.

SETU researchers will share insights from their projects before taking part in a panel discussion exploring their experiences of international collaborative research, including some of the benefits, opportunities and challenges involved.

The event is open to the SETU community and will be of particular interest to researchers, students and staff who would like to learn more about collaborative research and the opportunities available through EU-CONEXUS.

Programme:

Welcome-
Joy Rooney, Academic Researcher and Lecturer in Design, SETU

Moderator-
Dr Susan Flynn, Head of Department, Department of Arts, SETU

Panel-

• Professor Helen Hughes, Academic Enterprise Liaison, Department of Science, SETU.
• Dr Elaine Mullan, Lecturer, Department of Sport & Exercise Science, SETU.
• Dr Claire Lennon, Head of Department, Department of Pharmacy, SETU.
• Dr David O’Neill, Lecturer, Department of Science, SETU.
• Dr Haider Al-Juboori, Lecturer, Department of Electronic Engineering & Communications, SETU.

The research presentations and panel discussion will be followed by refreshments and an opportunity for further networking.

Advance registration is required.

REGISTER FOR EU-CONEXUS RESEARCH & SHARE

For further information, contact Jessica Harrison at [email protected]

Event 3: Community and Schools Events

SETU European Maritime Week also includes a programme of community and schools engagement activities, bringing conversations about our maritime environment directly into coastal communities.

These interactive events provide opportunities for children, young people and community participants to explore our relationship with the sea, coastal sustainability and the role communities can play in shaping the future of our maritime environment.

These events are now fully booked.

Free Public Seminar: The Decolonisation of Maritime Ireland – Reclaiming Indigenous Design

Thursday, 22 October 2026 | 6.45pm–9pm
The Granville Hotel, Waterford, X91 XH5R
Admission free – advance booking required

How can Ireland’s maritime past help us respond to the challenges facing our coastal communities today?

Members of the public are invited to join SETU for ‘The Decolonisation of Maritime Ireland – Reclaiming Indigenous Design’, a free public seminar exploring contemporary maritime challenges through the lenses of heritage, indigenous knowledge, ecology, culture and design.

Hosted by SETU’s Creativity and Culture Research Group (CCRG) in partnership with EU-CONEXUS, the seminar will consider how learning from the past can help us rethink our relationship with our coast and ocean and contribute to more resilient coastal communities.

The event is supported by the National Museum of Ireland, Design & Crafts Council Ireland, Waterford City and County Council, Wexford County Council, Waterford Chamber of Commerce, Waterford Archaeological and Historical Society and the Granville Hotel.

Programme:

6.45pm – Registration and refreshments

7pm – Welcome

Siobhan Rudden, EU-CONEXUS Institutional Project Manager, SETU
Dr Fiona Dowling, Director, Creativity and Culture Research Group (CCRG), SETU

MC
Dr Fiona Dowling, Director, Creativity and Culture Research Group (CCRG), SETU

Speakers:

• Katriina Bent, Tramore Eco Group
  Maritime Ecology in South East Ireland
• Joy Rooney, Academic Researcher and Lecturer in Design, SETU
  Reclaiming the Sacred Journey – Brendan and Other Voyages
• Laura Power, UNESCO Learning City Project Manager
  UNESCO Learning City: Exploring the Relevance of a Learning Region for Coastal Communities
• Michael Kennedy, Maritime Historian and Master Shipwright
  Maritime Heritage in South East Ireland
• Katherine Collins, Waterford Cultural Quarter Project Manager and Creative Ireland Coordinator, Waterford City and County Council
  Waterford Cultural Quarter – Regeneration in Progress
• Tom Watts, Head of Design, Design & Crafts Council Ireland
  Reclaiming Frameworks of the Unexpected – Irish Design Week
• Erica Faye, Waterford Archaeological and Historical Society
  Introduction
• Noel Campbell, Assistant Keeper, National Museum of Ireland
  The Wild Atlantic Voices – Developing a Boat Gallery

The seminar will conclude with a Q&A session.

Admission is free, but places are limited and advance booking is required.

BOOK YOUR PLACE

About SETU European Maritime Week

SETU European Maritime Week is an initiative exploring innovation, regional cooperation and the sustainable development of our maritime future.

Through research, education, public engagement and community collaboration, the programme aims to strengthen the resilience and inclusivity of coastal communities while creating opportunities for new connections between researchers, students, communities and organisations.

The 2026 programme is supported by partners from across SETU and the wider region, including EU-CONEXUS European University.